Nike swoops to oust Umbro with new Norway deal
By Mark Baber
September 12 – Nike and the Norwegian Football Association have announced a new partnership that sees Nike become the federation’s official apparel sponsor, taking over from Umbro.
Europe
Moscow World Football Forum adds Smertin to FFP panel line-up
September 12 – The World Football Forum 2014, to be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow, November 13, has added former Russian footballing legend Aleksei Smertin to the panel discussion on the implications of UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations (FFP). Smertin will be on the panel led by the Chief Executive of Chelsea Football Club, Ron Gourlay. Chelsea were one of the clubs Smertin played for.
Swedish ‘Syrians’ under suspicion for match-fixing
By Mark Baber
September 11 – The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) announced has reported a case of “suspected bribery” to the police in relation to Jonkopings Sodra’s match against Syrianska on August 25 which Jonkoping won 4-0.
Platini says UEFA has leading record on racism but harder rules needed
September 11 – UEFA president Michel Platini has taken a veiled swipe at FIFA’s zero tolerance approach towards racism at the World Cup.
UEFA reveals Euro 2020 bid city evaluations ahead of final vote
By Andrew Warshaw
September 11 – Countries hoping to stage the pan-European Championship finals in 2020 have received mixed news from UEFA’s evaluation panel with the vote just a week away.
Czech’s FK Usti nad Labem overhauls stadium to meet top tier requirements
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
September 10 – Czech football side FK Usti nad Labem has reopened its revampled stadium which was modernised at a cost of CZK 168 million (€6 million). As part of the redevelopment, a new stand was added with a seating capacity of 4,000.
CIES stats predict resurgence of Barca, Chelsea and AS Roma fortunes
September 10 – The CIES Football Observatory has released its 2014/2015 season standings predictions for the big-5 European leagues. The data driven predictions have Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain retaining their league titles. But predicts new champions in England, Spain and Italy.
Clubs cool on switch to Winter 2022, but hot on the FFP cash windfall
By Andrew Warshaw
September 10 – Europe’s clubs are still to be convinced that a switch to a winter World Cup in 2022 is a fait accompli. The clubs say they want “strong, decisive” reasons before accepting a decision to move the Qatar tournament from its usual summer slot.
Ludogorets hit by stand closures after UEFA rules against fan conduct
By Alexander Krassimirov
September 9 – Bulgarian champions Ludogorets have been handed a reduced stadium sanction by UEFA for their first home group game in the Champions League on October 1.
Fieldoo platform scores with players, agents and clubs
September 9 – Web-driven network Fieldoo, which connects players with agents and clubs, has now registered over 150,000 users after just a year of operation, making it the biggest specialist independent network for players and agents.
Landmark for women coaches as Kerr’s men secure first win
By David Owen
September 8 – A small piece of sporting history was made in Scotland on Saturday when the University of Stirling of the fifth-tier Lowland League beat rivals Edinburgh University 2-1 to hand manager Shelley Kerr her first victory.
Coaches unconcerned by seeding changes but split over ‘sin bin’ proposal
By Andrew Warshaw
September 5 – Europe’s top coaches are not convinced that UEFA’s plan to change the seeding system for the Champions League will be that significant. The format is being altered in future to avoid domestic champions being ranked lower than other clubs from the same country and to prevent them being drawn in the same group such as Group A this season where the champions of Italy (Juventus), Spain (Atletico Madrid),
England and Germany put past behind them and trade support for future Euros
By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – Further evidence has emerged that Germany will withdraw its bid to host the latter stages of Euro 2020, ensuring Wembley stages the semi-final and final. Last week in Monaco, both countries privately hinted that a deal had been done, echoing a previous gentleman’s agreement England were accused of reneging on back in the 1990s.
Will he, won’t he? Does Tavecchio have courage to face Rome racism talkshop
September 3 – UEFA are attempting to distance themselves from a potentially awkward situation at next week’s anti-discrimination conference in Rome.
#PirloIsNotImpressed, but he might like the Youtube numbers
September 3 – Italy’s leading team on the pitch continues to lead the country’s social media off it, this time with a video skit made on Juventus’ Australian tour using dead-pan Italy star Andrea Pirlo.